352 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



(IAmnotragus gratus), brought from the Gaboon, and deposited by Mr # 

 J. D. Hamlyn. Both are of a rich chestnut-red and marked along the 

 sides from the shoulder to the rump with about nine white stripes and 

 with many white spots as well upon the hindquarters. The male has 

 as yet no trace of horns, and is in all respects like the female. In the 

 event of the animals staying in the Gardens, it will be interesting to 

 note the gradual change of colour of the male to the smoky-brown 

 characteristic of the adult. 



The great event in the bird line during August was the completion 

 of the large new Aviary for Sea Gulls. This occupies the area between 

 the Seal Pond and the Pigsties. The opposite face of the rockwork in 

 the Seal Pond is included within the wirework, and forms a natural- 

 looking cliff for the birds to perch and nest on. Trees are left growing 

 in the Aviary, which rises to a height of about thirty feet. There is 

 a large pond running nearly its whole length along the front, and a 

 smaller one at the back, the banks of both being fitted with ornamental 

 rockwork. Here may be seen Sea Gulls, Cormorants, Herons of 

 various sorts, Gallinules, Kestrels, and Choughs. It is especially 

 hoped that the Choughs, including both the alpine and Cornish 

 species, may breed on the rockwork next spring. 



In a previous number of the ' Zoologist ' reference was made to a 

 recently established community of Burrowing Owls and Prairie Dogs. 

 The pair of Owls has successfully reared a young one, which, when 

 about half-grown, appeared at the entrance of the burrow under guard 

 of the parents, who fiercely drove off every Prairie Dog that ventured 

 too near. The protective vigilance displayed by the Owls suggests 

 fear for the safety of the young if left to the tender mercies of the 

 rodents ; and the greed with which the latter fight over and devour 

 the dead rats or fowls' heads put in the enclosure for the Owls shows 

 that the fear of the old birds has probably a strong foundation in fact. 

 It is interesting to record that the Owls themselves have a liking for 

 the Prairie Dog's food, and may not infrequently be seen eating the 

 cabbage-stalks with which the rodents are provided. 



All the eggs laid by the Struthious birds this season in the Gardens 

 proved infertile after trial in the incubators. Ample amends for this 

 disappointment, however, have been made by the Common Bheas. 

 The cock bird, after " sitting tight " for the proper time, hatched out 

 eight young ones in the small enclosure set apart for these birds, an 

 event which has not occurred in the Gardens for over half a century. 

 He started by sitting upon a few eggs, and the hen subsequently laid 

 the remainder of her stock within his reach, and these he pulled 



